Twins charged after officers stop party before it even starts

Updated 9:33 pm, Monday, October 8, 2012

Shawn Butler, left, and his brother, Dashawn, had to post on the Internet that their Huffman party had been canceled, authorities said. (Harris County Sheriff's Office photo)

Shawn Butler, left, and his brother, Dashawn, had to post on the Internet that their Huffman party had been canceled, authorities said. (Harris County Sheriff's Office photo)

Twins charged after officers stop party before it even starts

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At least 4,000 people, including juveniles, were expected at a raucous party Saturday in northeast Harris County until law enforcement got wind of the plans.

Now two of the organizers, twin brothers Shawn and Dashawn Butler, 19, are charged with trespassing on private property and the so-called "Ranch Party" was called off, Harris County sheriff's officials said Monday.

On Friday, an anonymous tipster told sheriff's deputies a massive party was going to be Saturday in an open field in Huffman.

The party was being promoted through social media and websites.

The deputies expected drug use and underage drinking so they made plans to shut the party down, officials said.

The deputies discovered the lock on the front gate had been cut when they arrived later Friday.

They found Shawn and Dashawn Butler and a juvenile on the property, officials said.

They were taken into custody and charged with trespassing when the owners confirmed they hadn't given permission to use their land, officials said.

They agreed to post a message on the Internet saying the party was canceled and law enforcement would be in the area, officials said.

The brothers were later released after posting $1,000 bail. Similar large-scale parties, also heavily promoted by social media, have turned deadly.

In March, 18-year-old Ryan Spikes was fatally shot at a party where, for a $10 fee, revelers were promised a night's worth of liquor on tap, geysers of foam and loud music.

The party was in an abandoned home in the 4400 block of Allison that locals called "the mansion" or "the ranch."